Le Mans, in northwestern France, is known for its yearly 24-hour endurance car race. For visitors arriving outside the racing season, the town also offers a medieval city, a stunning cathedral where England's King Henry II was baptized, an elegant summer light show and a fine selection of charming bed and breakfasts.
Fairy-Tale Castles
- With its rounded towers, finely decorated interior and meticulously landscaped gardens, the Chateau du Lude is one of the finest examples of castle architecture in the Loire Valley. The Chateau is located less than half an hour south of Le Mans by car or bus in the direction of Tours and is open to the public from March 31 to September 30 or by group reservation year-round. Visitors pay a modest entrance fee to tour the castle, gardens or both. Don't miss the garden festival if you're visiting the first weekend of June.
A Pastoral Retreat
- Just south of Le Mans is the forest and farmland preserve of L'Arche de la Nature. Next to the river, the park includes an aquarium, tours of the old mills, and horticultural activities such as workshops on making honey and cheese. Visitors can also rent bikes, book a horse-drawn cart or simply wander the park grounds. L'Arche de la Nature is open to tourists year-round, but the best time to visit is in the spring or summer, when the preserve offers the most activities and the weather is pleasant for picnics.
- Gardens and Links
- At the Sable-Solesmen Golf Club, the art of French landscaping meets the sport of golf in a breathtaking 27-hole course with long riverside views, expansive forests and even a waterfall. The course is located less than a half hour southwest of Le Mans by car or bus and is also accessible by train -- the Sable station of the TGV is just over 2 miles from the course. The complex offers dining options, luxurious lodgings and packages for golfers interested in spending a few days on the course.
Racing Excitement
- No trip to Le Mans would be complete without a visit to the city's claim to fame -- the racetrack. A few minutes down the D338 highway toward Mulsanne brings you to the official site of the city's legendary 24-hour endurance race. The big event is in July, but the track also holds smaller yearly events for classic cars and cyclists. Even without a race, the track is well worth the visit for the museum, which has photographs and classic cars on display. Race car enthusiasts can take a test drive around the inner loops of the famed track -- for a price.
